Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters, just the story idea.
Later that afternoon, with Luke still at the diner, Lorelai called Rory. They'd made it the first week, God knows how, not speaking on a daily basis, but that was all about to change.
"Hey mom!"
"Hey! Whatcha up to?" Lorelai lay sprawled on the couch with Lulu lying sprawled across Lorelai's chest. Absently, Lorelai stroked Lulu's back and there was a faint rumble of a purr, as if the kitten couldn't decide which would be a better use of her energy: sleep or enjoy the attention.
"Not much," Rory answered, "Studying mostly. You know, it's funny. When I first started wearing that Chilton uniform, I didn't really like it. But now, I waste so much time every morning deciding what to wear. I hate that even more."
"A woman's life is one great travesty from start to finish," answered Lorelai playfully.
"Mom, that's not what I meant. Obviously, my clothing crisis has not yet reached travesty-proportions."
Lorelai giggled. "So are you saying that you don't have enough choices? Because you know it's Saturday and I'm pretty much available. Do you wanna meet at the mall?"
"No, that's not what I'm saying. I've got plenty of clothes. My mother the clotheshorse took care of that. It's just that deciding from among them all is time consuming."
"Poor baby," chortled Lorelai.
"Yeah, yeah. So what are you doing?"
"I'm just hanging out on the couch. Lulu is using me as a cushion, so even if you wanted to go to the mall, that would have to depend on whether Lulu would have gotten up by the time I would have needed to leave."
"Awwww. So did grandma and grandpa freak you out last night?"
"Well, they didn't help the situation," Lorelai responded grimly. "I mean, I should have known better than to brink up Lulu, but I just never expected them to turn the evening into the Spanish Inquisition."
"Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition."
"You're hilarious," Lorelai noted dryly.
"I know. It's a gift."
Lorelai giggled. "Seriously, though," said Rory, "I want the details on you and Luke. Not details details, but what's going on? Are you guys a couple now?"
With a weary sigh, Lorelai admitted, "I don't know, honey. It's been a week."
"Does he stay over?"
"Yeah," conceded Lorelai, wondering why she felt like she was confessing something naughty to her mother.
"And you like him."
"No, Rory, he repulses me," Lorelai deadpanned. "Why would I be involved with him if I didn't like him."
"Sarcasm is not necessary. I'm just trying to gauge how much you like him."
"A lot," said Lorelai quietly. "I like him a lot. He's a good guy."
"The best," Rory agreed.
"He's probably the nicest guy I've ever met. I mean, he's all gruff on the outside, but inside he's…."
"Yeah," prompted Rory.
"I don't know. He's soft. And sweet. And kind."
"Stop you're gushing," Rory teased.
Lorelai laughed. "Well, tough. You asked."
"I know."
"I just feel different about him than I ever did about Max or even your dad. I mean…I loved your dad when we were in high school. But things change. You grow up. The more life experience you get, the less real those feelings seem. I guess what I'm saying is that…my feelings for Luke are stronger than the feelings I've had for any other guy in my life."
"Wow," said Rory.
"Yeah, but I'm still not sure what those feelings are."
"You just said – "
"I know what I said."
"Is this because I said I loved him?" Rory asked. "Because that shouldn't change anything. It's like what you just said: he's a really good guy. Kind, decent, thoughtful, you know all this. He's been there for us a thousand times when dad wouldn't or couldn't or said he would and then didn't. For all those times, I've definitely got a soft spot for Luke. Why does that surprise you?"
Lorelai thought. "It doesn't. Just hearing you say it out loud made me a little mentally ill."
"More than usual?"
"Hey!"
Rory giggled. "Sorry. But you have to admit. Don't you have a soft spot for Luke? Just for all those times he was there for us when dad wasn't?"
"Yeah."
"And would you really be surprised if that soft spot turned into a…" Rory thought for a second, "a love spot?"
"A love spot?" Lorelai asked dryly.
"Just go with me on this. People don't do what Luke has done for us if they don't also have soft spots. Knowing that he probably felt about us the way we feel about him only made my soft spot get bigger. No one had to say the words out loud. They were just understood."
"I guess I see what you're saying," Lorelai conceded thoughtfully.
"Good. So what are you going to do now?"
"I don't know, Ror. We're a week into the relationship. Don't you think it's a little soon to start throwing around words like…'love spot.'"
Rory giggled. "I can see your point. Take things slow."
"Thank you for your advice, doctor. I'm feeling much better now."
"Anytime, Ms. Gilmore. Say don't you have a brilliant and beautiful daughter off at college somewhere?"
Lorelai laughed and Lulu shifted positions slightly. "Why, yes doctor, I do. Although, she's more brains now, than beauty."
Rory gasped in mock outrage, "Hey! That wasn't very nice!"
"Just kidding! Mommy has to keep you on your toes."
"Ha ha. Okay, my study break is up. I gotta go."
"Okay," said Lorelai. "I miss you."
"I miss you too."
"Bye."
"Bye, mom."
Lorelai looked down at Lulu, still sprawled across her chest. The kitten was sleeping peacefully as if she hadn't a care in the world. Lorelai smiled. She definitely had a soft spot for the cat and it was in terrible danger of growing into a love spot. She wondered what kind of a spot she had for Luke.
